Collapsible tube compressor



May 20, 1952 E..B. scoTT 2,597,273

COLLAPSIBLE TUBE COMPRESSOR Filed April 19, 1947 Patented May 20, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE 6 Claims.

This invention relates to a dispensing device for such materials as tooth paste, shaving cream, and similar paste materials, which are ordinarily sold in collapsible tubes, and has for an object to provide a simplified and effective device which will effectively press the paste from such tubes in a manner such that it is readily available for use, and in which the tube is progressively collapsed from the closed end of the tube to the discharge nozzle or nipple, so that the entire contents can be pressed from the tube for use.

Another object is to provide a construction for this purpose which may be mounted on an upright wall or similar support where it is readily available for use, and is such that the tube of material may be readily and quickly mounted in the device and the device assembled for use.

Another object is to provide a construction Which is very simple, with a minimum number of recesses or pockets that could become lled with dust or material, to make it messy or unsanitary, and therefore one which may be readily cleaned at all times.

It is a further object to provide a device of this character .which may be made of suitable molded plastic materials which may be easily cleaned and kept in a sanitary condition, and which may also be made of various colors to match the colors or decorations in the bathroom or other room.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, I have devised the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification. It is, however, to be understood the invention is not limited to the specific details of construction and arrangement shown, but may embody various changes and modications within the scope of the inventions; Yi

In this drawing:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the device showing it in position for use;

Fig. 2 is a front view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a front View of the base section with the housing or outer section removed;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the base portion with the housing in section, showing a collapsible tube in position for use of the device;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section of the base portion substantially on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3, indicating the position of the collapsible tube on this base when in dispensing position. The method of assembling is also shown;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section of the housing removed from the base portion;

Fig. 7 is a bottom end view of the device, and

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the lower end portion of the housing.

The device comprises a base I il which may bea substantially flat member of plastic or similar material adapted to be secured to the face of an upright wall or similar support I I by any suitable means, such, for example, as the screws I2 passing through suitable openings I3 in the upper and lower ends of the base. Formed on the forward face is a pressure platform I4, which platform is preferably tapered with the thinnest portion at the top or the upper end, so that the face I5V of the platform is inclined as indicated.' When in use,

the collapsible tube I6 for the paste to be dispensed rests against this inclined surface and is pressed against it by a similarly inclined pressure block I'i mounted in a housing I8 enclosing the tube i6 and secured on the base member I0. This housing is preferably substantially rectangular in. cross section including the side walls IS and the front wall 20. This housing is preferably tapered so that it is of less height at its upper than at its lower end, and at its lower end is provided with a transverse angular rib 2| adapted to be inserted in a transverse slot 22 in the base IB and rest behind a shoulder 23 in a recess at the back of this slot. This securely fastens the lower end of the housing to the base I6 and permits the upper end to be swung inwardly to rest against the upper end of the base where it may be held by any suitable catch or lug 24. This holding means may be somewhat resilient or yielding to provide a limited spring effect, or just frictional engagement with the housing will hold it in position. It is preferred to extend the edges 25 of the side walls I9 inwardly beyond the rear surface 26 to seat in vertical grooves 2'I in the front face of the base I so as to properly center and position the house ing and hold it against lateral movement.

In the lower end wall 28 of the housing it is provided with an opening 29 to receive the discharge nozzle or nipple 3i! of the collapsible tube I6. This is preferably of a size to substantially t this nozzle with a rigid end or shoulder por- Y tion 3| of the tube resting against the. upperl side of the end wall 28, and to properly center the tube the forward wall of the housing is provided with a transverse rib 32 to engage the side of the tube just above the top edge of the rigid portion 3|, as shown in Fig. 4. If desired, this rib may be provided with a curved recess 32a to receive the side of the tube.

The pressure block I1 is mounted on the inner edge of an elongated handle 33 passing through an elongated slot 34 in the front wall of the housing, and its outer edge comprises a grip 35 which may or may not be wider than the connecting portion of the handle, as desired. As will be seen from Figs. 1 and 4, the block I1 has a substantially at inner surface 36 engaging the outer side of the collapsible tube I6, and the block is preferably tapered with the larger end portion 31 at its lower end, and the front wall 2U of the housing is also preferably tapered, so that when in the dispensing position the pressure wall or inner surface 36 of the block is inclined to the vertical, as shown. Thus, when inward pressure is applied to the outer grip portion 35 to press the block |1 against the collapsible tube I6, pressure is applied first to the upper or closed end of the tube, and as the pressure is continued the tube is compressed or collapsed progressively from the upper or closed end toward the lower or discharge end, insuring that the contents of the tube are all forced out of it. As the pressure block I1 and the handle 33 are free in the slot 34 in the housing, this is a free floating pressure block and can automatically assume the proper position. However, the rear platform I4 on the base and the block I1 are so proportioned and located that the lower end 38 of the platform I4 and the lower end 39 of the block 31 are located just above the top edge of the rigid end portion 3| of the tube, as shown in Fig. 4, so that on first compressing movements of the block these end edges move inwardly behind the edge of the rigid portion, and effectively hold the tube in place against the end Wall 28 of the housing and with its discharge nozzle 3D in the opening 29 on the housing. This insures that the tube does not shift out of place during the dispensing operation.

When not in use, the outer end of the nozzle l 30 is closed by any suitable slidable or pivoted closure means 40, mounted so as to be movable to and from the position over the discharge end of the nozzle. A simple and effective means is to pivot it to the end of the housing as at 4|, so that it may be swung to and from the closed position, and to facilitate this it may be provided with a lug or finger grip 42.

In loading the device, the housing I8 may be removed from the base by swinging its upper end outwardly to substantially the dotted line position of Fig. 5 or to a more nearly horizontal position, at which time the transverse rib 2| may be withdrawn from the slot 22. A new tube I6 maybe placed in this housing with its nozzle in the opening 29, or the tube can be placed in the housing without removing the rib 2| from the slot 22. After the tube is in place in the housing the upper end may be swung back to the position of Figs. 1 and 4, where it will be held by the lug or clip 24; or if the tube is mounted in the housing when the housing is separated from the base the rib 2| is inserted in the slot 22 when the housing is inclined, as shown substantially in dotted lines Fig. 5, and then its upper end swung inwardly against the base. This action will bring the rib 2| to the locked position of Figs. 1 and 4, and the device is ready for use. This motion will bring the collapsible tube I6 against the face of the platform I4 on the base I0, and between this platform and the pressure block |1. Now by inward pressure on the outer grip portion of the handle, the block I1 may be pressed inwardly against the tube to compress it and force the paste or other contents through the discharge nipple 30 onto a tooth brush, shaving brush or the like.

It will be clear from the above that the device is of very simple construction, that it may be readily and quickly disassembled for removal of an old tube and loading of a new one into dispensing position; that when the tube is in position it is firmly held against displacement, and it is compressed or collapsed progressively from its upper closed end to the lower discharge end to insure discharge of all of the material from the tube; that the parts may be molded of suitable plastic or other suitable material, and there are no deep recesses or the like to collect material or be hard to clean.

Having thus set forth the nature of my invention, what I claim is:

1. A dispenser of the character described comprising a base member provided with a longitudinal fixed platform on its forward side extending the greater portion of the length of the base, a removable housing open at the rear, means for detachably and removably mounting the housing on the forward side of the base over said platform, which means includes a transverse slot in the base member and a lower end wall on the housing provided with a downwardly extending rib on its rear edge seated in said slot, said lower wall also provided with an opening to receive the discharge nipple of a collapsible tube, a pressure block mounted in the housing extending substantially the full length of the platform and arranged to be bodily shifted rearwardly toward the platform to press the tube against the platform, and an elongated longitudinally extending operating handle on the block projecting through and guided by an elongated slot in the forward wall of the housing against longitudinal movement and movable inwardly by rearward pressure thereon to press the block against the tube.

2. A dispenser of the character described comprising a base member provided with a longitudinal `fixed platform on its forward side extending the greater portion of the length of the .base and located with its forward surface inclined to the face of the base, a housing open at the rear enclosing said platform and including a lower end Wall provided with an opening to receive the discharge nipple of a collapsible tube, means for detachably and removably securing lthe housing to the base member, with the tube against said platform, an elongated pressure block of substantially the full length of the platform mounted in the housing on the opposite side of the tube and movable rearwardly toward the platform to clamp the tube between them, and an elongated handle on the block extending through a slot in the forward wall of the housing to the front side thereof to mount the block in the housingand hold it against longitudinal movement, said handle being disconnected from the housing and free to move inwardly and rearwardly in the slot to press the block against the tube by inward pressure on the handle.

3. A dispenser of the character described comprising a base provided with a xed longitudinal pressure surface on its front face inclined upwardly and rearwardly and extending the greater portion of the length of the base, a removable housing open at the rear, means for detachably mounting the housing on the base, a pressure block in the housing extending longitudinally and substantially the full length of the pressure surface and disconnected from the base and housing so that it is free floating and bodily movable rearwardly in the housing toward said pressure surface, said block being provided with a rear face inclined upwardly and rearwardly toward said pressure surface to press a collapsible tube against said inclined surface progessively from the top, the front wall of the housing being provided with an elongated slot, and an elongated operating handle on the block extending through said slot to the front of the housing, said handle being guided by the slot for free inward and against vertical movement to shift the block toward the pressure surface to press the block against a collapsible tube between the inclined faces of the base and block by inward pressure on the handle.

4. A dispenser of the character described comprising a base provided with a transverse slot adjacent its lower end, a housing open at its rear side and provided with a transverse angular rib at its lower end in the slot and engaging a wall at the rear of the slot, means on the base to retain the upper portion of the housing, said housing including a transverse lower end Wall provided with an opening for the discharge nozzle of a collapsible tube in the housing, a pressure block in the housing extending longitudinally thereof and of substantially the same length as the tube, said block being detached from the housing and base so as to be bodily shiftable toward the base to collapse the tube against the base by inward movement toward the base, and an elongated operating handle for the block projecting through a longitudinal slot in the front wall of the housing and of substantially the same length as the slot so as to be freely movable inwardly in and guided by the slot to press the block against the tube by rearward pressure on the handle and held by the slot to prevent vertical movement of the block.

5. A dispenser of the character described comprising a base provided with a pair of laterally spaced longitudinal grooves in its front face, a housing open at its rear side comprising front and side walls and a lower end wall, means mounting the housing on the base with the rear edges of the side walls seated in said grooves comprising a transverse slot in the base and a downwardly extending rib on the rear edge of the lower end wall seated in said slot, the lower end l wall of the housing being provided with an opening for the discharge nipple of a collapsible tube, a pressure block extending longitudinally in the housing and disconnected from the housing and base so as to be bodily movable in the housing and adapted to collapse the tube against the base by inward movement of the block toward the base, and an elongated longitudinally extending operating handle for the block extending through and guided both longitudinally and laterally by a slot in the front wall of the housing, said handle being located at the front of the housing and movable inwardly by rearward pressure on the front of the handle to press the block against the tube while held by the slot against longitudinal movement.

6. A dispenser of the character described comprising a base, a housing open at the rear comprising a front wall provided with an elongated longitudinal slot and side walls and a lower end wall provided with an opening for the discharge nipple of a collapsible tube, a transverse horizontal rib within the housing extending between the side walls and spaced above the lower end wall to engage the side of the tube just above the top edge of the rigid end portion of the tube to position it, means for detachably mounting the housing on the forward side of the base, a pressure block in the housing to collapse the tube against the base, and an elongated operating handle for the block in and guided by the slot and located at the forward side of the housing.

EDWARD B. SCOTT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,421,777 Hawley July 4, 1922 1,583,813 Thwaites May 11, 1926 1,741,991 King Dec. 31, 1929 1,805,420 Schweer May 12, 1931 1,964,311 Brehm June 26, 1934 2,064,111 Hartland Dec. 15, 1936 2,149,315 Schymizek Mar. 7, 1939 2,379,475 Campfens July 3, 1945 

